While most folks might have thought the winter storm dump of snow meant stay home, I figured otherwise! The snow on the trees inland from Two Harbors was gorgeous. I did have to change my planned route when my first road was not yet plowed, and had an amazing amount of fresh snow and ice which was not conducive to safe driving. My plan is to repeat this afternoon!
Winter Wonderland Great Gray Owl!
After what had been a cold snap for finding owls, the last three days have been fantastic … an owl a day for a ThreeFer! Yesterday I found a second Great Gray Owl … once again north of Duluth no where near Sax-Zim Bog.
Today shows how stupid birders can be when a rare bird appears. Last year, essentially no Snowy Owls were seen in the Duluth Superior area. A normal year has several Snowy Owls spending their time on the Arctic Riviera (Duluth!). Regardless, when I returned home from church and I heard a Snowy Owl had been spotted at the Superior Entry to the harbor, I immediately started Snowy Search ‘2024!
Why do I call myself stupid? I immediately saw the Snowy Owl upon reaching the Superior Entry. However Lake Superior was getting nasty as a winter storm bore down on the area. Spending time outside to watch a white bird hundreds of yards distant in 30F, damp weather with 30 mph winds blowing in off the big lake might not be considered fun, let alone intelligent.
Flight Time Snowy
Just Hanging
Oh well … Snowy Owl sitting across the channel on the Minnesota breakwater. My ThreeFer! As a fyi, I was using my Canon SX-70 for these pics … Super Zoom Camera … 130x magnification. I am a loooonnng ways away from this bird.
Folks should know by now I love to spend time north of Two Harbors, which includes the Greenwood Boreal Bog and Bird Feeders. There are many reasons I love this region about 40 miles north of Two Harbors, but one HUGE reason is within minutes of leaving my home the drive has little traffic, and I get to enjoy scenery which starts with the pre-dawn light over Lake Superior. As I turn inland at Two Harbors traffic drops to almost zero as I drive north through the Boreal Forest.
Yesterday to my west I realized the full moon was both beautiful and setting into the wilderness. I quickly realize the moon would be perfectly situated low in the sky at a favorite vantage point of mine, the Langley River. Thirty minutes before sunrise I pulled over and enjoyed moonset!
Langley River Moonset
Langley River during other seasons! (Winter – Summer – Late Fall)
After enjoying the full moon I continued north where during the 15-20 minutes around sunrise, the Spruce Grouse came out onto Stoney River Forest Road to grit up. I saw six but this individual really let me get close!
Can you tell I am happy to be back out in the woods with a clean bill of health!